St Neots Town were beaten in a match of two controversial goalmouth incidents yesterday.

David Batch’s men suffered another disappointing outing on their own turf when going down to a solitary Kettering Town goal in the Southern League Premier Division.

Saints were adamant goalkeeper Andy Wilton was challenged illegally immediately before visiting striker Rene Howe rolled the ball into the empty net.

The hosts’ protests fell on deaf ears and the frustration was cranked up another notch when returning striker Tom Meechan saw a leveller ruled out.

Meechan was adjudged to have used a hand to force in a Ryan Hawkins free-kick and his celebrations were cut short when referee James Turner issued a caution.

It meant Saints fell to a fourth home defeat and they have now picked up less than half of the 33 points available to them so far at the Premier Plus Stadium.

They also remain in the bottom half of the table having seen a stack of games in hand disappear without making any gain in the play-off race.

Saints have now played at least as many matches as the majority of their rivals – and, in some cases, more.